Attendees at Penn State Board of Trustee meetings will be allowed to have their voices heard at future board meetings.
The board voted to allow public comments at future board meetings.
The board will allow up to 30 minutes of public comment and questioning per meeting, Chair of the Committee on Governance and Long-Range Planning James Broadhurst said at Friday's board meeting.
A maximum of 10 speakers will be allowed to speak, with a maximum of three minutes per public comment, Broadhurst said. Anyone wishing to speak must be pregregistered to speak no later than 48 hours before the start of the meeting, Broadhurst said.
The board also voted on new term limits for trustee members. The term limit for trustees elected by alumni, delegates of agricultural societies or elected by the board representing business and industry endeavors was previously 15 years.
The board approved four three-year term limits, a maximum of 12 years, as the limit for trustees whose terms begin July 1, 2013 and after.
All trustees with terms beginning between July 1, 2003 and July 1, 2012 still have the previously enacted 15-year term limit.
Newly elected trustees Adam Taliaferro, Anthony Lubrano and Ryan McCombie's terms began on July 1, 2012 and will able to have 15-year term limits.
Lubrano, president of AP Lubrano and Co. said that he was concerned about the amount of time each speaker is given, and asked Chairwoman of the Board Karen Peetz if the board would "revamp" the standing orders on public comment if needed.
Peetz said that since this is a new development, the board would adjust the standing orders as needed.
